Pilot zone operations begin in three Lebanese villages, only one of which Israel is currently occupying
Pilot zone operations mark the first tangible step under a framework agreement negotiated with US mediation since late June
Pilot zone operations began Monday in the Lebanese villages of Froun, Srifa and Zawtar Al-Gharbiya, the US State Department announced. The move will be conducted under the Trilateral Framework and the oversight of the Military Coordination Group for Lebanon.
Only Zawtar Al-Gharbiya was under IDF control.
State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the milestone followed last week's talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome, adding that the US "will continue working closely with both parties to implement the Framework to a successful conclusion." The IDF confirmed the news, saying it will redeploy its forces in one of the pilot areas to allow the Lebanese Army to carry out its mission.
Israel sees this initial phase as a test of sovereignty for the Lebanese Army, to become the only official entity authorized to possess weapons in the area. Nevertheless, the IDF warns that, as permitted by the trilateral agreement, it will act if Hezbollah violates the agreement.
It should be noted that the pilot will be accompanied by a strict monitoring mechanism led by the United States and final process has not yet been decided. Right now, the goal of the pilot and the agreement is to disarm Hezbollah.
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Under the US-brokered June 26 framework deal, Israel and Lebanon agreed to the pilot zone project, which envisions the disarmament of Hezbollah, the deployment of Lebanese troops to the south, and the progressive withdrawal of Israeli forces from what Israel calls a roughly 10 km buffer zone along the border. Israel is expected to retain positions it considers strategic, including the Ali Taher ridge, where the army believes an active underground Hezbollah complex remains.
Hezbollah has continued to reject disarmament despite it being stipulated in the memorandum of understanding, insisting that "without Hezbollah, nothing will happen."